Wednesday, March 30, 2016

The Last of the Sunburst Battles

*Still time to comment for the Giveaway! Well, it's been coming for a very long time. Sunburst is conclusively a finished quilt top! No more borders for this project. You can read about how it all began in May of 2014 and a little bit about where I parted ways with the gorgeous inspiration quilt.
The last border....
For some reason I thought this quilt had been in the works for about four years, but you know how it is when every step of the way is a question and/or a struggle. It starts feeling like a battle. Every change brought about more changes and while I was okay with that in theory, I couldn't ever 'see' my way forward with any real clarity. The reality was that this particular quilt required a lot of time to simmer, lots of scribbled ideas and wadded up pieces of paper. There could have been some hair pulling and time spent in our separate corners--I just can't remember. It always seemed like there were about a dozen different ways I could go forward and it was just up to me to determine the 'best' ones for the fabric on hand. Uh, hello? Do I look like a magician?
Trying to get a picture of the whole quilt isn't easy
I even struggled right at the end when I was getting ready to applique the corner pieces. Seriously? All of a sudden my corner pieces were just wrong and the colors of the outside border started grating on my nerves. So matchy, matchy and perhaps even dulling the quilt down? I've been trying to quit blocking {all} the corners of my borders in--take the extra effort to miter them or allow the motifs to carry around the corner. When it looks seems the appropriate choice or it starts looking like ahem! I'm just being lazy.

It should have worked. I had so carefully counted the repeats, checked and re-checked the colors of my last border applique pieces. And then one evening after some creeping depression with the fate of my last border, I had this other idea. Hmm.. What if I could find some more of that center fabric where I had fussy cut the white/black circle? Then it would {maybe, cross my fingers} tie back into the center of the quilt, bring in some of those lighter colors, and maybe even salvage the borders which were, quite frankly, starting to look kinda unnecessary.
Loving the applique center
And thankfully, after dumping out two full totes of my lighter colored stash fabric, it was there. {What are the odds?}. I only needed four fussy cut circles and wowsers, there was actually enough for five! Which pretty much made the fabric into Swiss cheese, but that's totally beside the point too. I could not believe how much it made a difference to have that little bit of 'tie-in' at the corners of the outside border. It just made everything sort of solidify and look like it actually belonged together! Not like I was trying to force another border just because I don't know how to quit. It was a very good moment, especially as I really wanted that last border to be on this quilt!
Ah.. I think it works!
So my quilt top ended up looking totally different than the inspiration quilt, although there are similarities in certain elements. Not the first time that has happened around here and it probably won't be the last. But we're okay with that, the quilt and I. Completely on speaking terms once again. Do I regret not making the inspiration quilt? Not really. While it would have been an incredible quilt to 'have', I think this one was much more interesting and stimulating to 'make'. For me. I can't be speaking for you and your process. Around here, it's all about the making, all the time....

Are you ready for April's Quilty 365 yet? I have a little stack of blocks yet to stitch, but I'm getting there!

31 comments:

  1. I don't see how it could have come out better! This is such a fantastic and super creative quilt. I know what you mean about almost always corner blocking your quilts, as I do the same thing. But, I think it is more that we like that look rather than being too lazy to mitre (or whatever!). I just can't believe how you could look at the original inspiration quilt and come up with this. My interpretation is so traditional and predictable. Not that I don't love mine, it is just to refreshing to see how what other people do with the same inspiration. I need to move out of my comfort zone and go wild. Thanks for sharing this wonderful quilt.

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  2. I'm glad you had enough of the center circle fabric for your corners :0) This is a lovely quilt and your quilting will make it truly fabulous!!

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  3. Funny how a project starts out one way and ends up another! This is just wonderful! I especially like the fleur d'lis in the outer border

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  4. You were so right about those corners. The circles really complete the whole quilt. It really does make a huge difference.
    I went to look at your photo of the inspiration quilt. I love the direction you went with yours!

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  5. Glad you and your quilt are on speaking terms. Your interpretation of Dawn's pattern is fantastic and has led you in a totally different direction. I also like how you brought the center design element out to the border. It brings it all together. Glad the battle is over.

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  6. I know what you mean about making decisions as the quilt progresses. It sometimes makes me fearful that I'm going to regret the decision and that's exhausting. The Welsh quilt I am working on is only being planned as I finish a border. The next quilting pattern takes so much time to plan. Your quilt turned out terrific and I can tell you are pleased. That's all that matters.

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  7. I think your quilt is a work well done :)

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  8. I think the quilt makes the decisions...so glad you were paying such close attention to it, from your corner! Lovely!

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  9. Looks great - I have seen no other quilt like it :). Totally YOU!!

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  10. I really like this quilt! It is pretty and interesting! Will you hand quilt it?

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  11. A wonderful interpretation Audrey and quite a journey for you! You've modernised it but still kept the charm :)

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  12. Amazing interpretation! The struggles make us stronger..... you knew what the problem was, and knew where to fix it! Next time you won't even need a pattern.... just let imagination fly.

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  13. So fun to see the photo of the original inspiration quilt, then both yours and Wendy's interpretation. Each one unique yet related, and each one a beauty in its own right.

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  14. It's an amazing quilt - fascinating to see your inspiration quilt and then your version.

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  15. Again a beautifull quilt and it really comes together. Greetings Aurora

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  16. I like your quilt very much, medallion quilts, especially scrap quilts are my favourite.
    You described perfectly the indecision which I went through when I attempted to make my first medallion without a pattern. It's already over a year old, as I dither about each additional border. I keep thinking maybe I'll stop now!

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  17. Congratulations on your finished top! I enjoyed reading this post, the ups and down of the creativity process you are describing are so familiar to me, but how rewarding it is when things work!
    It's another beautiful quilt you have made; the repeat of the central circle was brilliant!

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  18. Love your blog, Have been following you for about 5 months and love your work. Thanks for the chance at the book.
    pforgerson@sbcglobal.net

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  19. Me gusta como ha quedado, es un final feliz.

    Yo si estoy preparada para empezar los círculos de Abril, los tengo la colocados y desde mañana empezaré con la aplicación a puntada escondida. Besos y gracias.

    Ana-ane

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  20. Me gusta como ha quedado, es un final feliz.

    Yo si estoy preparada para empezar los círculos de Abril, los tengo la colocados y desde mañana empezaré con la aplicación a puntada escondida. Besos y gracias.

    Ana-ane

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  21. Well Audrey, it was worth every agony because it's just fabulous! I really love the quirkiness and the nod to your traditional inspiration quilt - a wonderful finish (-ed top!)

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  22. The fact that it doesn't look much like the inspiration just makes it better, in my book! I really love all the warm bright colours in this one. And more of those fun birds! You are finishing things all over this month. Great job!

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  23. A fabulous quilt and it is super interesting to see the inspiration quilt and read about your process!

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  24. Oh my goodness ... so very happy to be reading your blog. You are an inspiration :)

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  25. It turned out fabulous!! Your instincts are right on, you are really listening to your quilts.

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  26. LOVE this quilt. Whimsical, folk-artsy. Great border fabric.

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  27. What a lovely interpretation of the inspiration. Wonderful way to make it yours. Simply wonderful (and awesome).

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  28. Oh good job - those final corner squares are spot on and anchor your final border perfectly. Quilts are like kids - some are just easier along the way than others, but with persistence (and a bit of luck) they end up ok in the end.

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  29. A creative and amazing journey to a stunning finish! Look forward to seeing it quilted!

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